Netflix and Akamai Reports Show Sustained Broadband Speeds Falter in U.S.

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Nate Hakken, Reporter, BroadbandBreakfast.com

WASHINGTON, February 7, 2011 – Online content providers Netflix and Akamai released data recently indicating that U.S. internet service providers meet expectations for promised peak broadband speeds, but fall short when it comes to sustained speeds.

Netflix, which offers streaming video on-demand, released data and charts last month through its blog.  The company evaluated sustained downloads as part of its high definition streaming service specific to Internet Service Providers (ISP)s.

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F.C.C. to Propose Expanding Broadband Service to Underserved Areas

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By EDWARD WYATT

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday will propose the first steps toward converting the $8 billion fund that subsidizes rural telephone service into one for helping pay to provide broadband Internet service to underserved areas, according to commission officials.

Julius Genachowski, chairman of the F.C.C., is expected to call for a consolidation of existing methods of supporting rural phone service into a new pool of funds.

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Mobile Broadband Shouldn’t Replace Fixed Broadband – Report

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Here’s a warning about jumping too far onto the mobile broadband bandwagon. Selling it as an alternative to fixed broadband will fail in both the U.S and Europe. That’s according to a new survey from Analysys Mason.

The report, The Connected Consumer Survey 2: Mobile Broadband, says there is a strong, and correct, perception among consumers that mobile broadband is slower, less reliable and more expensive than fixed broadband. Seventy percent of those surveyed had that opinion. Where consumers have a choice between fixed and mobile broadband, mobile broadband, the report says, should not be sold as the primary means of access, but as a complement. Six-thousand consumers were interviewed for the study.

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New OPASTCO chairman: Broadband universal service must fund served as well as unserved areas

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By Joan Engebretson

Ron Laudner, CEO of Iowa-based OmniTel Communications, was recently elected chairman of the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies, assuming that role at a critical time for small U.S. telcos. With the Federal Communications Commission set to put the process of reforming the Universal Service program in motion next week, I talked to Laudner this week about that and other key issues for OPASTCO members.

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Testimony to DC OCTO: Support Community Wireless to Drive Broadband Adoption

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DC-Net has built a successful mid-mile network to serve the District of Columbia‘s government and anchor institutions such as schools, hospitals, and libraries.  Now they are holding hearings to determine whether to expand the scope of DC-Net to federal government agencies and local service providers and possibly build infrastructure directly to homes and businesses.  This latter endeavor could possibly put taxpayers “on the hook” for hundreds of millions of dollars.

The hearing held by DC Council-member Mary Cheh lasted over 3 hours with many speakers testifying to the benefits and success of DC-Net.  Apparently the session was an information gathering meeting for Ms. Chey because there was very little concrete information conveyed as to whether or how the District should increase access to third-parties outside of government and anchor institutions or build a last-mile network.

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Frontier, Sibley County engage in war of words over muni fiber Read more: Frontier, Sibley County engage in war of words over muni fiber

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Sibley County, MN understands the benefits of a municipal broadband network to the community, and they have formulated a good plan to build one.  The incumbent telecom provider is putting up a good fight, as to be expected, but their premise is shaky.  Frontier Communications wrote a letter to the county commissioners protesting the county’s plans, and Winthrop City Administrator submitted an excellent rebuttal.

There are now many examples in the United States alone for successful community networks.  Sibley County and other localities are taking advantage of these success stories to insure the success of their own network build-outs.  Cash strapped incumbent service providers should take advantage of these last-mile networks to introduce advanced broadband services through these networks instead of impeding them.  The biggest challenge municipalities face is financing.  The municipal bond market is currently quite soft. Potential investors in these networks would welcome the participation by a large service provider to help guarantee a positive ROI.

Frontier Communications (NYSE: FTR) is taking sides on a fiber-to-the-farm initiative in Sibley County, Minn., and it isn’t the side of the consumer. Frontier doesn’t see a fiber buildout to rural communities as feasible, arguing in a letter to county commissioners that they can provide the same level of service as fiber via their DSL service.

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Provo council approves funds to hire consultants for plan B

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At least the mayor of Provo realizes the benefits of the network and is looking for ways to continue its existence should Veracity default.

Genelle Pugmire – Daily Herald

Provo Mayor John Curtis said he is following the Boy Scout motto to be prepared when it comes to the future of the city’s fiber optic network.

The Municipal Council made another move towards the mayor’s working contingency plan, or Plan B, at Tuesday’s Council meeting. The council voted to appropriate $50,000 from the city’s fund balance to hire two consulting firms to help develop the plan.

For nearly a year city administrators have been discussing the need to have a plan B if the need should arise. It’s something they haven’t had since iProvo was sold.

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